Hi everyone! I am 21 years old and I was taking fluoxetine 20mg for about 3 years because of Panic Attack Disorder, OCD and Depression. It saved my life those 3 years and I was the best version of myself. This year, after pressure from my parents and a little bit of my own will, I decided to taper off my SSRI. It was a big bad mistake… I had relapse on August… Bad irrational thoughts came back like 3-4 years ago etc… I started again immediately on the exact same dose. First weeks were terrible with side effects… Unfortunately, I am in my 12th week and still I don’t feel like 100% of myself, if you know what I mean… I remember on the first time I started taking fluoxetine, somewhere this period (I mean 12th week) and maybe sooner I was feeling almost completely back 100% of myself. Now, it didn’t happen and I am worried about it. I talked to my psychiatrist, he saw me (when I was in my 8th week) and said to see how it would go the next 4 weeks and then we will discuss about this issue again. 4 weeks have passed and as I said I am in my 12th week, that I think it’s a long period to properly evaluate if I should increase my dosage or not. I am considering now to increase my dosage to 40mg immediately. I think I shouldn’t wait anymore, even though I have an appointment on the next week with my psychiatrist. I am better now to be honest than the first weeks, but as I said not completely back (still have thoughts etc) Should I increase my dosage? Is it normal that it hasn’t worked fully on me again after 12 weeks and should I wait more? I am also scared of the side effects that I might have after increasing my dosage. I would like to know experiences of increasing dosages etc. Please help. Thank you.
Hello,
Sorry you’re struggling at the moment.
I have been on and off fluoxetine for the best part of 20 years or more. I have generally been stable on 20mg a day but there have been occasions where I’ve had to increase this to 40mg.
I had a setback in June of this year where I was struggling with anxiety and OCD thoughts and my dosage was increased to 40mg daily.
It does take a while to sink in and start to have some effect so you do need to be patient I’m afraid.
I’m still not 100% now and am on a waiting list for talking therapy but I am more stable than I was.
Being on sites like this and reading posts from others who are struggling has helped me get through, and also there is a lot of books and stuff online that can help.
It is tough but hang in there and you will get better. It’s just a long road but I believe it will make us all stronger in the long run!
Wishing you all the best 